Assembly date: May 11, 2008

We would like to extend a warm welcome to our guests this morning! We ask that you fill out one of the white Welcome to Highland cards found in the rack on the back of the seats. Place it in the collection tray as it is passed or hand it to one of our greeters at the Welcome Center in the Atrium. If you would like help in selecting an adult Bible class to attend this morning, class information is available at the Welcome Center

Highland Church of Christ
425 Highland Avenue
Abilene, Texas 79605
(325) 673-5295

Our Purpose: The purpose of the Highland Church is to call all people to God. The God we call people to is most perfectly seen in Jesus Christ. Our task is to imitate Him. We commit ourselves through the power of the Holy Spirit to be God’s living expression of Himself on earth.

Our Mission: The mission of the Highland Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ who prayerfully join together in missions, ministry and worship.

Sunday: Worship: 9:00 a.m. Bible Classes: 10:30 a.m.
Lifeteams: 1st and 3rd Sunday Evenings
Wednesday: OASIS Classes - 7:00 p.m.

Assembly Order • May 11, 2008
Worship Leader: Val Durrington

853 - When We All Get to Heaven
869 - We’re Marching to Zion

Family Concerns ~ Dickie Porche
Pastoral Prayer ~ Jim Trietsch

Blessing of Dylan Matthew and Brody Daniel, sons of Michael and Leah Mercer

153 - Come, Let Us Worship and Bow Down
Psalm 95:1-7 ~ Congregation
Come, Let Us Sing for Joy to the Lord
144 - O Worship the King
Shout Hallelujah!
The Lord’s Prayer

HIS KIDS Worship for 3 - 5 Year-Old Preschool Children
533 - I Am a Sheep

Luke 10:25-37 ~ Jonathan Crisp
“Peripheral Vision and Kingdom Eyes” ~ Mike Cope
429 - O to Be Like Thee

Communion
Thoughts and Prayers ~ Mike and Kathy Reppart
287 - There Is a Redeemer

Tithes and Offerings
Special Announcement ~ Amy Pybus and Randy Piersall

448 - The Greatest Commands

Benediction ~ Mike

“Hospitality, rather than being something you achieve, is something you enter. It is an adventure that takes you where you never dreamed of going. It is not something you do, as much as it is someone you become. You try and you fail. You try again. You make room for one person at a time, you give one chance at a time, and each of these choices of the heart stretches your ability to receive others. This is how we grow more hospitable - by welcoming one person when the opportunity is given to you.” ~ Homan and Pratt

“Hospitality should have no other nature than love.” ~ Henrietta Mears

“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” ~Hebrews 13:2

TIME AND CONNECTION
Some of the most drastic changes in our social fabric have taken place in the last fifty years. Values have shifted, and in our technological society many of the tools and toys in our world serve to pull us away from social intimacy. In pursuit of connectedness, we try to connect through the use of gadgets and technology. This has birthed a whole new range of devices, from cell phones to social networks such as MySpace and Facebook. These can be valuable tools for communications, but fail to meet our need for connection with other human beings. A hug or touch speaks more clearly than a phone call.

Think about the ways family time is spent in today’s frenetic world. Families may spend time together watching TV, and in many homes everyone watches their own programs in separate rooms. Conversations in the car have been replaced by seat-back DVD players and isolated individuals listening through their earphones. Shared family activities once included children imitating their parents both at work and at play. Today many children do not know what their parents do at work and many of our leisure time activities are primarily solo endeavors. One does not even need a partner anymore to play chess – the computer is more challenging.

The very nature of our technological environment prevents our social fabric from being conducive to the development of intimacy. A lack of intimacy leads to many negative things including the inability to think of others or be hospitable. Relationships with friends and family, as well as extending hospitality and welcome, require unhurried time together. Consider the people in your immediate circle - whom could you bless today with God’s unhurried time?

May God give us grace to live by his speed of love!

Prayer Ministry: Everyone is invited to meet with the Highland Prayer Ministry from 12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m. each Monday in the Highland Prayer Room to lift up in prayer those who are struggling. If you would like to share a prayer need, call the Prayer Request Line at 672-3151.

Celebrate Recovery is seeking someone to provide childcare on a weekly basis. This paid position is every Sunday night from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. If you are interested or would like your name placed on a substitute list, please contact Jennifer Eller.

Freedom Fellowship is seeking a VBS Coordinator for the annual Vacation Bible School to be held late June or in July. If you are interested, please call Joe or Becky Almanza

FaithWorks summer session will begin June 9. FaithWorks is seeking individuals and/or small groups to help provide complete, healthy lunches. If you can help, please call Becky Almanza at 673-5295.

The Community Ministries goal of $40,000.00 has been reached! Thank you for your giving hearts! Your donations will help fund many community outreach programs. If you did not have an opportunity to participate, you may place your donation, marked Community Ministries Special, in the contribution plate or contact any Highland staff member or elder.

Praise and Prayer Service: Please join us at Freedom Fellowship this Saturday, May 17, at 5:00 p.m. The main entree will be provided. Please bring side dishes to share. Rex Boyles from Lubbock, Texas, will share his testimony.

Celebrate Recovery: A Christ-centered 12-step recovery program meets Sundays in Room 207 at 5:00 p.m. For more information, contact Steve Eller or see the Highland Celebrate Recovery website at www.crhighland.wordpress.com.

SUNDAY MORNING UPDATE
Let’s Talk About Jesus in Room 103 is a small welcoming class for sharing the journey of faith through testimony and prayer, led by Gary and Maria White. Highland neighbors and friends are especially invited.

Many of our adult classes are participating in a four-week congregation-wide study on hospitality called Finding God in the Stranger. Please stop by the Welcome Center in the Atrium if you would like assistance in finding a class.

The 39ers will not meet tonight. Class continues next Sunday at 5:00 p.m. in Room 112.

WEEKDAY BIBLE STUDIES
Mark your calendars for these summer studies:

To Live is Christ is an eleven-week study by Beth Moore. Class begins Monday, June 2, and will meet in Room 207 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Women of all ages are invited to this series that includes daily study and weekly discussion at table groups. Books are available at the first session. For more information or to register for childcare, contact Gay Lynn at 673-5295.

Stepping Up: A Journey Through the Psalms of Ascent begins Tuesday, June 10, from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. in Room 111. This new seven-week video study by Beth Moore explores Psalms 120 - 134. For more information, please contact Jean Isom.

SUPPORT THE HIGHLAND MOPS PROGRAM: Please consider honoring the women in your life for Mother’s Day with a card and a gift donation in their name to our Mothers of Preschoolers ministry. A MOPS representative will be available this morning at the MOPS table in the Atrium.

University Students and Young Adults: Class meets Sunday mornings at 10:30 and will meet throughout the summer in Room 206, across the hall from the regular university classroom.

Impact: All current 6th - 8th grade boys are invited to go on our Impact Mission Trip on June 14 - 17. Applications and a $25.00 non-refundable deposit are due NEXT SUNDAY, May 18. Pick up an application TODAY at the Welcome Center or in the Middle School Classroom.

Breakthrough 2008: All current 5th - 7th grade students are invited to our in-town Middle School Retreat, this summer June 6 - 8. The cost is $55.00 per student and scholarships are available upon request. Applications are available TODAY in the Middle School Classroom and at the Welcome Center. These will be due, along with the non-refundable $55.00, by Sunday, May 25. Sign up TODAY!

Mexico Meeting: There is a mandatory Mexico meeting for all high school missionaries and their parents THIS WEDNESDAY, May 14, from 8:15 - 9:00 p.m. in the High School Classroom. We will give updated information about the trip and upcoming fundraising opportunities.

Senior Sunday is NEXT Sunday, May 18. All seniors meet in the front of the Auditorium at 8:30 a.m. Immediately following the service, you will have the opportunity to share words of wisdom with the underclassmen in the High School Class. Please come to the Atrium after class for a reception in your honor.

Fortress: All current 6th - 8th grade girls are invited to go on the Fortress Mission Trip on July 7 - 10. Applications are available TODAY in the Welcome Center or in the Middle School Classroom. Applications are due, along with a $50.00 non-refundable deposit, by Sunday, July 1.

HIS KIDS Worship: All preschool children who are 3 - 5 years old are invited this morning to Room 113, off the South Foyer, for children’s worship.

Wednesday Night: Beginning this Wednesday, May 14, 1st through 4th grade children meet in Room G in the Children’s Wing. 5th grade girls meet in Room E and 5th grade boys meet in Room F. Nursery, preschool, and kindergarten children meet in their regular classrooms.

Parent Prayer Connect: Parents, pick up a prayer card located on the glass tables in the Atrium or the Children’s Information Desk to use as you pray this week for your child to have a heart for missions.

God Talk At Home: Family conversation starters that track with our elementary Wednesday night curriculum are available each week in the Atrium on the glass tables and at the Children’s Information Desk in the North Foyer.

Childcare is available for all twos during worship. Younger Twos meet in Nursery E, off the South Foyer, and the Older Twos meet in the 2’s classroom, located downstairs in the North Children’s Wing.

Nursery care is provided each Sunday in the attended Nursery Suite off the South Foyer. Also, the Mom’s Nursery and Family Room are available for infants and toddlers accompanied by parents or grandparents.

His Kids Ministry and 3D Ministry Moms!
Mom’s Night Out will be from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. next Tuesday, May 20. Mothers of newborns through 12th grade are invited! We will have pedicures, massages, crafts, dinner, and more! Please RSVP at 673-5295.

Into All the World
The Jamaica IATW team wants to thank everyone who made donations or purchased ads in our Jesus for Jamaica Journal. Your help has made this mission fundraising effort a great success. Everyone is encouraged to come by our table in the Atrium today to pick up your copy!

Fundraising Opportunities
Arcelia, Mexico Team - Mexican Luncheon
The IATW Impact Arcelia, Mexico, Mission Team will host a Mexican Soup and Salad Lunch following classes next Sunday, May 18. Tickets are $7.00 per adult and $3.50 for children, ages 3-10. Lunch includes all you can eat tortilla soup, salad, and dessert. Tickets will be available for sale in the Atrium this morning or contact Becky Almanza at 673-5295.

All Teams - Movie and Silent Auction
Into All the World teams invite you for an evening of affordable entertainment on Saturday, May 24, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. We will host a classic movie in the Auditorium and offer pie and coffee in the Gym during intermission. We will show the 1944 Frank Capra film Arsenic and Old Lace, a classic comedy/thriller starring Cary Grant. The events of the evening will be offered on a donation basis, including child care, which will be provided by the Highland Youth Mission Teams. During intermission, there will be a silent auction in the Atrium. There will also be displays by each of the participating Into All the World teams highlighting their mission trips, designed to provide information about the purpose of this fundraising.

Dwelling in the Word
Sunday: Psalm 145; Deuteronomy 16:9-12; Acts 4: 18-21, 23-33
Monday: Psalm 106:19-48; Ezekiel 33:1-11; I John 1:1-10
Tuesday: Psalm 124, 125, 126, 127; Ezekiel 33:21-33; I John 2:1-11
Wednesday: Psalm 128, 129, 130; Ezekiel 34:1-16; I John 2:12-17
Thursday: Psalm 134, 135; Ezekiel 37:21b-28; I John 2:18-29
Friday: Psalm 141, 143; Ezekiel 39:21-29; I John 3:1-10
Saturday: Psalm 137, 144; Ezekiel 47:1-12; I John 3:11-18